Broke and need an indoor trainer...are the cheap ones worth it??

[VeloMel]

Hello, I'm looking to get an indoor trainer, an injury is causing me to do stationary workouts only. On e-bay I see a Bell trainer for about 75 bucks, is it worth it? Haven't really ever heard anything about that particular trainer. Not too sure if this is a "don't cut corners" purchase, I don't want to crash out in my livingroom on an unstable trainer!

[Blueberry]

I don't know anything about the Bell.

I have a Kurt Kinetic fluid and a cyclops mag. The mag works - but I really enjoy riding the fluid a lot more. Have you checked craigslist? I see trainers in the same price range as the bell quite frequently. Performance has some that I've heard are OK.

[kermit]

I had Performance bikes cheapest trainer for years, finally passed it on to my brother. They all work the same, some are just quieter and smoother, but any will get the job done. Make sure you use the rear wheel skewer it comes with and not the one on your bike. First off you will ruin the good one and if its tapered it will not fit correctly, thus the slipping out.

[Trek420]

They all work about the same. Higher cost gets you quiet and a more "road like" feel.

wind trainer ~ cheapest, noisiest of the bunch
magnetic trainer ~ costs more, quieter, more "lifelike" feel.
fluid trainer ~ quietest, most roadlike feel, highest cost

If you live in an apartment your neighbors will thank you for getting a fluid trainer. Look for deals at stores like Play it Again sports, local bike swaps, Craigs ....

[owlice]

Check your local Freecycle groups, too.

[Irulan]

yep craigs list, people are selling them all the time...